Resolved . . .

So, another year comes to an end, and all over the world, people are contemplating how to make the coming year better. Such contemplation often takes the form of new year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions range in topic from physical fitness to financial solvency, from the amassing of physical possessions to the downsizing of said possessions.

As I’ve been reflecting over my past resolutions, I’ve noticed that they’re all of a temporary nature. Physical fitness is a constantly fluctuating standard, and possessions are only satisfying until the next greatest thing is invented and released into the wilds of retail. This year, I want my resolution to have a more lasting quality. As I’ve pondered and thought and analyzed and read, I think I’ve finally hit upon the best resolution I could possibly make. Consider the following verses . . .

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” John 8:12

“This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.’” Isaiah 48:17

“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!” Psalm 86:11a

“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” Psalm 40:8

There are countless programs and plans, classes and seminars, all designed to improve our lives. Only problem is, in most cases, they’re only treating the symptoms of deeper reaching issues. It’s not about dropping a few pounds or saving a few bucks. It’s all about the state of the heart, a deeper longing that few want to examine because it requires asking hard questions and, often, taking drastic action. It’s because, as a whole, we’ve gotten away from the truth. We’ve forgotten that there’s a higher power at work, one that transcends our own desires, that which we mistakenly term “needs.” I’m tired of treating symptoms. I want to address the root of the problem, the heart of the matter.

How does one go about such an undertaking, one might ask. The answer is simple. Not easy, but simple. It is from this answer that my new year’s resolution is derived. I hereby resolve to live out 2009 following Jesus into wherever he guides and directs; to live my life squarely and securely in the middle of his will. Each day will be committed to him. Each decision will be made after seeking his guidance.

I’ve tried to make my own decisions. I wore my self-sufficiency as a badge of honor. And it got me nowhere. I was left unfulfilled and alone. What kind of life is that?! Not one that I want to live anymore. So this year, I cling to Philippians 2:13; “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” See, I don’t even have to attempt my resolution on my own.

Happy new year, my friends. May the blessings of 2009 double those of 2008. And may you wholeheartedly follow God’s leading for your life. And may you daily catch glimpses of his love for you.

Christmas Questions

Of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John), only two cover the birth of Christ, Matthew & Luke. Luke devotes two verses to Jesus’ actual birth (Luke 2:6-7), while Matthew gives the event thirteen words, only half of a verse (Matthew 2:1a). Seems odd to me that the birth of the Messiah that the Israelites had been waiting on for 400 years, the Savior of the world, would garner so little ink in the Word of God. What does rate some time in these pages is how people reacted to this birth. Wise men from the east sought him, the king at the time tried to have him killed: this is all detailed in Matthew’s account. Luke’s account, however, is what I find most fascinating.

See, there were these shepherds tending their sheep in the dead of the night. There they were, minding their own business, when suddenly, an angel appears. Much as you or I would be, they were afraid, terrified. The angel, first calming their fears, made the following proclamation; “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the City of David!” (Luke 2:10-11) The shepherds, upon hearing this, left their sheep, ran to Bethlehem to see the child, and then ran to tell everyone the met what they had seen.

My question is this: why the shepherds? Why did they get the angelic treatment? These guys were the forgotten ones, the low men on the social totem pole. Most proud fathers of newborns that I know center all the attention around their new child. God, being the ultimate in fatherhood, should, logically, have sent the angels to circle his boy that had just been born in human flesh. But no, he sent the angels to, of all people, the shepherds! Why?!

As I’ve been rolling this over in my head, I finally realized the reason. Jesus was not sent so that God could take pride in his own child. Jesus was sent so that we could know God to the fullest extent. Jesus was a gift to the world, to us, to you and me. Without Jesus, the broken, flawed, forgotten people of the world could never know the love God wants to lavish over them in ridiculous, unimaginable ways. This is why the angels were sent to the shepherds. They were the ones for whom this gift was meant, so God sent his best to let them know that their gift had finally arrived. Having received this most precious gift, they went and told everyone they could find that their gift had arrived as well.

For those of us who have already received this gift, let’s follow the shepherds’ example. Spread the word. Take this amazing gift to those who have yet to know the love of Christ. And for those who are still waiting, who still feel unloved, unwanted and undeserving of such a gift, consider this your official proclamation. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born!” Your gift has arrived. Don’t wait any longer to receive it.